Even after nearly three decades, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai remains one of Hindi cinema’s most loved romantic dramas. As the film prepares to complete 28 years this year, director Karan Johar has revisited a deeply personal memory from its making—one that captures the vulnerability, pressure, and emotional intensity behind his directorial debut.
In a recent conversation on Manyavar’s YouTube channel, Karan Johar candidly spoke about his first experience working with Salman Khan and how the weight of the moment led him to break down on set. Fresh into filmmaking and directing some of the biggest stars in the industry, Johar admitted he was overwhelmed by the responsibility.
Recalling Salman Khan’s first day on set, Johar shared that he walked into the actor’s vanity van only to find him dressed casually in a T-shirt and jeans. When Johar gently reminded him that the scene required an elaborate setup, Khan responded with his trademark confidence, suggesting that a groom in casual wear could set a new trend and add “swag” to the scene. While the idea amused Khan, it sent Johar into a spiral of anxiety.
With an ornate set, Kajol in a heavily detailed lehenga, and his own inexperience weighing on him, Johar confessed that the stress became overwhelming. “I got so hyped and so stressed that I started crying,” he revealed. The moment, he said, left Salman Khan visibly uncomfortable. Wanting to ease the young director’s nerves, Khan quickly agreed to wear the suit, and the shoot went ahead smoothly. That day also marked Johar’s first-ever sangeet song sequence as a director.
Looking back, Johar acknowledged that while the film eventually became a landmark success, its early days were filled with self-doubt and emotional highs. His recollection offers a rare glimpse into the vulnerability behind a project that would go on to define a generation of Bollywood romance.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai completed 27 years last October, prompting Johar to share a heartfelt note alongside behind-the-scenes photographs from the sets. The images captured moments from some of the film’s most iconic scenes—Rahul sensing Tina’s presence, Anjali choosing Rahul at her wedding, and Farah Khan choreographing the evergreen Koi Mil Gaya. Thanking audiences for their enduring love, Johar called the film’s journey one of joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
The filmmaker has also previously spoken about the challenges of casting the role of Aman Mehra. After facing rejections from multiple actors, Johar found support in an unexpected place. During a meeting at Chunky Panday’s home, Salman Khan encouraged him to stay confident and invited him to narrate the script. That conversation proved pivotal, changing the course of Johar’s career and leading to one of the biggest romantic hits of its era.
Today, as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai continues to resonate across generations—with its songs still echoing at weddings, college events, and celebrations—Johar’s emotional anecdote stands as a reminder that even iconic films often begin with uncertainty, fear, and deeply human moments behind the camera.